The first thing we do whenever we land in a foreign country is renting a car. There is no better way of exploring at your own pace than a car. Public transport is great and rather cheap way of traveling around, but it won’t take you to all the beautiful places in Croatia. Especially those more remote. There is always a schedule to follow and you can’t simply stop to admire the landscape or take a diversion to the nearby attraction.
I still remember the first time we went to Ireland and rented a car there. Being Croats, we’re used to driving on the right side of the road. In Ireland, you drive on the left and the steering wheel is the opposite of the cars we usually drive. So everything was completely different and new. At first, before I even sat in the car in Ireland, I thought I wouldn’t be able to do it, or that it would be hard to get used to it. It wasn’t. I had to change everything in my head, but it was easier than I ever thought it would be.
Rogotin Bridge and Neretva River Mouth in the distance (southern Croatia)
Trust me when I say that there is nothing stopping you from driving in Croatia and enjoying every bit of it. If you have any doubts about yourself, your skills, road conditions in Croatia, and such, this guide will answer most of your questions and prepare you for the experience of driving in Croatia.
Croatia has a lot to explore – stunning coastline, picturesque villages, and stunning national parks. As such it’s a dream destination for all sorts of travelers. While public transportation is available and a lot of people use it, driving through Croatia offers flexibility and the opportunity to explore the country at your own pace.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to driving in Croatia, answering key questions and providing valuable tips for a safe and enjoyable road trip.
Makarska Riviera scenic route and beaches of Makarska Riviera
Why Is Driving a Good Option for Exploring Croatia?
Croatia is a rather small country but packed with natural wonders. Many of these are not reachable by public transport since they are secluded or located far away from the regional roads or regular public transport routes. Through driving in Croatia, you’ll be able to easily reach any of them, and explore them at your own pace before venturing toward the next one.
The sole act of driving in Croatia can be an experience in itself, and you can really feel that explorer vibe as you drive through the landscapes of our stunning country.
Here are a few more reasons why we believe that driving in Croatia is the way to go:
- Flexibility: With a car, you can easily create your own itinerary, visit off-the-beaten-path locations Croatia is famous for, and travel and explore at your own pace.
- Scenic Routes: Croatia has some of the most scenic drives in Europe, such as the Adriatic Highway (D8), which stretches along Croatia’s coastline and offers breathtaking views. We live on Makarska Riviera and this stretch of the D8 is often proclaimed as the most scenic route in Croatia.
- Access to Hidden Gems of Croatia: Many of Croatia’s natural attractions, such as secluded beaches and rural villages, are best accessed by car. Usually, there is no public transport of any kind that leads to these places and if you don’t drive in Croatia, then booking guided tours to these places is your best option.
- Time Efficiency: Driving is often much faster than relying on buses or trains in Croatia, especially when traveling between smaller towns and remote areas that might not be well connected with other parts of Croatia. Also, during the summer months, public transport can be too crowded and have delays.
- Not so Expensive: Especially if you book it in advance. Renting a car in Croatia doesn’t have to be expensive and in some cases can be even cheaper than relying on public transport. Still, with renting a car, you’re basically buying freedom.
Makarska Riviera is proclaimed as one of the most scenic routes in Croatia. Rising mountain is Biokovo.
Is Driving in Croatia Easy?
Yes, driving in Croatia is very easy, especially if you are used to driving in Europe. even if you are not and you come from some distant country, rest assured that driving in Croatia is simple and easy. Most of the roads are wide enough, Croatia has a motorway network that will take you to any of its parts, and a lot of regional roads that are well maintained and in good condition.
There are some narrower local roads, but even these are not too problematic for driving, you just need to be a bit more careful and that’s all. Croats are also not aggressive drivers and driving rules are usually followed throughout the country.
- Road Conditions in Croatia: Major roads and highways are well-maintained, and road signs are clear and available in Croatian and English.
- Navigation: GPS apps like Google Maps work reliably in Croatia, making it easy to find your way toward any location.
- Parking:
- Finding parking can be challenging in major tourist cities like Dubrovnik, Split, and Zagreb, where spaces are limited and fees are high if you park near the center. For these situations, we suggest finding a parking outside of the city center and use public transport to reach the place you want to explore. Finding parking is most challenging during the peak season (July, August), you shouldn’t have any problems outside of this period.
- Many accommodations offer private parking, especially outside city centers. This is perfect if you plan to stay in one place for a few days.
- Tips:
- Avoid driving in narrow Old Town areas where cars are restricted or impractical. Dubrovnik is one example of this, and other cities as well. Never go inside the old parts of these cities since they have narrow streets and there is a high chance you won’t even find a parking spot.
- Be cautious on rural roads which can be narrow. Adjust your speed and drive carefully.
Majstorska Cesta toward Tulove Grede – unique rock formation in Croatia
Is Driving in Croatia Safe?
Yes, driving in Croatia is also safe as it is pleasant. Most people obey the driving rules and traffic laws and you won’t see as much aggressive driving as you might witness in some other countries. Still, there are many people visiting Croatia during the summer months so there are all kinds of drivers around. Even so, traffic accidents in Croatia are relatively rare.
Here are some considerations to have in mind when driving in Croatia:
- Traffic Laws:
- Croatia follows right-hand driving.
- Seat belts are mandatory for all passengers. There are police cameras that can record whether you’re using a seat belt or not.
- Using a mobile phone while driving is strictly prohibited unless you have a hands-free device.
- Speed Limits in Croatia:
- Urban areas: 50 km/h (31 mph).
- Open roads: 80 km/h (50 mph).
- Highways: 130 km/h (81 mph).
- Alcohol Limits:
- The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.05% for most drivers. For professional drivers and those under 24 years, it is 0.00%.
- Tips:
- Avoid driving late at night in rural areas due to limited lighting and potential wildlife crossings. If you drive during this period, adjust your speed.
- Pay attention to weather conditions, especially in winter when roads can become frozen in mountainous regions such as Lika and Gorski Kotar.
Rogotin Bridge in the Neretva River Delta
Do I Need an International Driving Permit in Croatia?
If you are a foreigner arriving in Croatia, here is some information regarding international driving permits in Croatia.
- EU/EEA Drivers: If you have a valid driving license from an EU or EEA country, you do not need an International Driving Permit (IDP).
- Non-EU Drivers: Drivers from non-EU countries, such as the USA, Canada, or Australia, should carry an IDP along with their original license.
- Tips:
- Check with your car rental company about specific requirements.
- An IDP is valid for one year and can be obtained in your home country before traveling to Croatia.
Regional road near Dinara – highest mountain in Croatia (you can see it in the left part of the image)
Driving in Croatia Rules and Etiquette
Each year, there are many people visiting Croatia by car or renting a car in Croatia. The roads have way more traffic than in the winter months. Always follow local rules when driving in Croatia and rest assured that it will result in a great driving experience. Here are a few more things to think about:
- Toll Roads: Highways in Croatia (“autoceste”) are tolled. You can pay by cash, credit card, or a prepaid ENC device for discounted rates. Highways are the fastest and most convenient way of traveling through Croatia, although they are not the most scenic option. Always try to combine regional roads with the highway.
- Fuel Stations:
- Fuel stations are abundant along highways and in towns, as well as on regional roads. Keep in mind that fuel prices are a bit higher on the fuel stations on highways.
- Many fuel stations in Croatia are open 24/7, especially on major routes.
- The refueling is self-service, although you can ask a worker to fill your car with gas too.
- Roundabouts: Yield to vehicles already in the roundabout.
- Pedestrian Crossings: Always stop for pedestrians at marked crossings.
- Obey the Speed Limits: We already mentioned some of the speed limits above. It’s especially important to obey them when passing through urban areas.
- Don’t drive tired: More of a tip than the rule. If you are tired, stop at the nearest place and take a power nap. It does wonders. 90% of all road accidents in Croatia happen because of driving under the influence of alcohol, driving with no seat belt, using a mobile phone while driving, and driving tired.
Driving through the narrow road of Biokovo Nature Park
Speed cameras in Croatia
There are many speed cameras scattered throughout all of Croatia and they can be found mostly in urban areas where the speed limit is usually 50 km/h. There are some newer models that record some other things than just speed – whether you’re driving a registered vehicle, do you have a seatbelt, or are you using a phone while driving. They usually have a tolerance of 10 km/h over the speed limit.
Speed cameras in Croatia are almost nonexistent on the highways and there are police interceptors dealing with driving over the speed limit on these roads. A good thing is that you really need to drive well above sthe peed limit to get intercepted by police on a highway in Croatia.
Winter sunset and snow at A1, main motorway in Croatia connecting cities of Split and Zagreb. Shot made in Lika.
Renting a Car in Croatia
As we already mentioned, we strongly suggest renting a car when in Croatia. If you’re not already arriving by your own car, which many people do, especially those from the nearby European countries. Whenever we travel abroad, we rent a car and enjoy carefree exploration (with full insurance). There are many car options for renting and you can choose the one that fits you best. There is also an option to choose between manual or automatic transmission but manual transmission is more common.
If you want to rent a car with an automatic transmission in Croatia, make sure you do it online as soon as possible since the number of these cars is limited.
Renting a car in Croatia is straightforward and provides you with the freedom to explore Croatia’s diverse landscapes.
- Requirements:
- A valid driving license (and IDP if required).
- A credit card for deposit purposes. It has to be a credit card (not a debit one).
- Rental Companies:
- International brands like Hertz, Avis, and Europcar, as well as local companies, operate throughout Croatia and have many different car types you can rent.
- Insurance:
- Basic insurance is included, but consider additional coverage for peace of mind. We suggest maximum coverage, it costs more, but there’s no money that can buy such peace of mind. The first time we ever rented a car, we used only basic insurance and I still remember that extra focus I needed to have which took away a bit of joy driving usually has.
- Tips:
- Book in advance during peak tourist season for better rates and availability.
- Opt for a smaller car if you plan to visit villages with narrow streets.
Road on the Makarska Riviera
Additional Tips for Driving in Croatia
As you can see by now, driving in Croatia is an easy and relaxing experience and there is not much to stop you from deciding to rent a car in Croatia. We know that driving in a foreign country can feel overwhelming at points and daunting before you even start driving, but that’s what full insurance is for.
Here are a few more tips regarding driving in Croatia:
- Best Time for a Road Trip:
- Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) get a lot of pleasant weather and fewer crowds as well as less traffic on the road. This is also our favorite period for visiting Croatia. If you are solely looking for a road trip experience in Croatia, then this is the period for you.
- Plan Your Routes:
- Use GPS but also have a physical map as a backup.
- Plan rest stops to enjoy the scenic viewpoints along the way. You will see that there are a lot of rest points on all routes in Croatia so you can stop whenever you feel tired or just want to enjoy the view.
- Emergency Numbers:
- In case of an accident or emergency, dial 112 for immediate assistance.
- Crossing Borders:
- If you plan to visit neighboring countries like Bosnia and Herzegovina (e.g., to see Mostar or any other place), ensure your rental car includes cross-border permissions and a Green Card for insurance. You can usually pay an additional fee when renting a car so you’re able to cross borders to neighboring countries.
Croatian A1 highway near the city of Ploče in southern Croatia
Before You Venture into the driving in Croatia
Driving in Croatia can be a great way to experience the diverse attractions of our country. You’ll easily get from the coastal beauty of Dalmatia to the tranquil countryside of Istria. Croatia has well-maintained roads, and stunning routes, and overall driving is easy thus renting a car is highly recommended. Follow the rules, plan your journey, and enjoy the freedom of exploring Croatia at your own pace.
And remember, always take the scenic routes when driving in Croatia. Enjoy!